Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-22
Facts for the Croakers.

Col. Shaw. an intelligent citizen Of the
state Of New York, formerly, for some
wears. Consul Of the United states al
Manchester, England, who gave careful
attention to economic and commerciai
-nnestions while abroad, In recent article
d,acussed the effect Of Free Trade and
Protection upon working-men. He asserts
that English operatives are improving
their condition, but remarks:
"The barrack- like homes Of the great ma
io,;tv of English operatives cannot be COM
nared with the neat homes Of our American
vorkpeopIe and the way Of living, the
food used and the way ii is prepared and
served. differ greatly from the manner OF
living in our country Of a similar class OF
toilers. II the American workpeopie hved
AZ the English operatives do, and dressed as
they do, spending no more for clothing.
amnsements and Injuries, the ration of net
n,o,ts p.r capita at the end of each year
vould be more than 100 per cent. greater in
the United States than it ia in England"
The workingmen Of the United States.
whether native or foreign born cannot
otherwise than feel degree OF content
ment and satisfaction "a they compare
their rate Of wages and the general com
fort Of their lot with persons engaged in
like occupations in England, Scotland and
other European countries. IL IL also true
that there has been marked Improvement
10 the wages, the comfort and the general
condition VI those employed in manufac-
lures, In the mechanic arts and in agricul-
ture, In this country compared with those
similarly employed fifty years ago. Those
are the worst enemies Of the workingmen
who GENEROUSLY maintain that in this
country the poor are growing poorer, and
that those who begin active life with no
other help than the labor of their hands,
future. There has recently been published
nm address by James Bartlett, citizen OF
Michigan, machinist, which he delivered
Mt semi-ccntennial in his adopted State.
Mr., Bartlett draws the following contrast
between the condition Of things in what
are sometimes termed the good old
times" and that which now generally pre-
walls:
The wages of machinist in this shop
were 81 to | % a day; one nabob of pat
tcrn-maker received the great sum of 81 80
They went 10 work at Z o'clock in the morn
ing and worked till 100 o'clock at night,
with an hour for breakfast and three quarters
for dinner. 1t was several years before we
obtained eleven hours day. II has now
I.., -E,..
or more, and we grumble at that, though we
may get more than twice the wages we did
forty years ago and we are hoping to get
the same or higher pay for working eight
hours. know the condition of the machnist
is better than it was when first joined the
guild He has better pay, better houses,
better education, better living, and hope he
will keep on improving for the next fifty
years. Large machine shops were started be-
fore 1886. One in Lowell employed over
1000 men on cotton machinery, Now the
country Is dotted with them. For my part.
don't want any more of the good old times,
The present time is the best we have ever
had, though hope not the best we shall ever
see. In fifty years have reduced our
hours of labor from fourteen to eight hours
day; our wages are doubled and the ne
cessities of life are much cheaper "a barrel
of salt which cost 81 so years ago has been
sold in Michigan for 10 cents. The great
curse Of drunkenness is very much dimin-
ished. We live in better houses, better
warmed and lighted. and we are better
clothed, high school education is in the
reach of every child books are free TO all !;
the poorest laborer who meets with an ac-
cidcnt in our streets will receive surgical aid
that no king could purchase 80 years ago.
Our great railroads distribute the fruit of la
Dor so that famines are impossible Beef
killed on the praircs is sent all over the
country, and supplies the markets of Europe.
Fish from the salt seas are eaten fresh all
over the Continent and tropical fruits are
pcddlcd round NIL our streets